Tephrosia candida DC.

Flora Zambesiaca Leguminosae subfamily Papillionoideae by R.K. Brummitt

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals white; standard (18)20–27 mm long, orbicular oblong, the wings and keel petals somewhat shorter. Petals white; standard (18)20–27 mm long, orbicular oblong, the wings and keel petals somewhat shorter.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary appressed-tomentose; style pubescent.

Distribution

Introduced. Native of NE India (from Dehra Dun east through the Himalayas to Assam and Orissa).

Morphology General Habit

Shrub 1–3 m high, usually much branched and bushy. Shrub 1–3 m high, usually much branched and bushy.

Morphology Stem

Stems appressed or ascending, often deflexed, greyish or brownish tomentose. Stems appressed or ascending, often deflexed, greyish or brownish tomentose.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves with (5)8–13 pairs of leaflets; petiole (1)1.2–1.8(2.6) cm long; petiole and rachis together (7)9–20(23) cm long, tomentose like the stem; leaflets (2)3–6(7.5) × (0.5)0.8–1.4(2) cm, elliptic-oblong, rounded to cuneate at the base, acute to subobtuse or rarely somewhat rounded at the apex, mucronate, the margins somewhat inrolled towards the lower surface; upper surface glabrous (rarely shortly pubescent but not in the Flora area) and dark green in colour, lower surface appressed; greyish-green pubescent and usually contrasting in colour with the upper surface; stipules 4–10 × 0.8–1.2 mm, linear-triangular. Leaves with (5)8–13 pairs of leaflets; petiole (1)1.2–1.8(2.6) cm long; petiole and rachis together (7)9–20(23) cm long, tomentose like the stem; leaflets (2)3–6(7.5) × (0.5)0.8–1.4(2) cm, elliptic-oblong, rounded to cuneate at the base, acute to subobtuse or rarely somewhat rounded at the apex, mucronate, the margins somewhat inrolled towards the lower surface; upper surface glabrous (rarely shortly pubescent but not in the Flora area) and dark green in colour, lower surface appressed; greyish-green pubescent and usually contrasting in colour with the upper surface; stipules 4–10 × 0.8–1.2 mm, linear-triangular.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers in fairly dense terminal and axillary racemes 4–24 cm long, or sometimes the lowermost fascicles of flowers in the axils of the uppermost foliage leaves; bracts 3–6 × 0.5–0.8 mm, linear-triangular, falling early; pedicels 9–17 mm long. Flowers in fairly dense terminal and axillary racemes 4–24 cm long, or sometimes the lowermost fascicles of flowers in the axils of the uppermost foliage leaves; bracts 3–6 × 0.5–0.8 mm, linear-triangular, falling early; pedicels 9–17 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx 4–6 mm long, grey or brownish densely appressed-pubescent, the teeth usually darker than the tube; upper teeth short (1–2 mm), obtuse or rounded and fused for c.¾ their length, the lateral teeth about equalling the upper, obtuse or rounded, the lower tooth exceeding the others, about equalling the tube, channelled, obtuse. Calyx 4–6 mm long, grey or brownish densely appressed-pubescent, the teeth usually darker than the tube; upper teeth short (1–2 mm), obtuse or rounded and fused for c.¾ their length, the lateral teeth about equalling the upper, obtuse or rounded, the lower tooth exceeding the others, about equalling the tube, channelled, obtuse.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Upper stamen fused to the tube. Upper stamen fused to the tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary appressed-tomentose; style pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Pods 72–96 × 7–8(9) mm, closely appressed brown pubescent. Pods 72–96 × 7–8(9) mm, closely appressed brown pubescent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 11–13, 4–5 × 3.5–4 × 1.5–2, grey or greyish-black, with a large white U-shaped aril c.1.5 mm long. Seeds 11–13, 4–5 × 3.5–4 × 1.5–2, grey or greyish-black, with a large white U-shaped aril c.1.5 mm long.

Use Animal Food

Used as animal food.

Use Environmental

Environmental uses.

Use Food

Used for food.

Use Medicines

Medical uses.

Use Poisons

Poisons.